Which ancient civilization pioneered the concept of 'branded merchandise' by requiring merchants to stamp their distinctive seals on products as a guarantee of quality and place of origin?

Before modern shopping malls and e-commerce, ancient civilizations had sophisticated retail strategies and marketplaces that shaped their economies. From the agoras of Ancient Greece to the bazaars of Mesopotamia, retail commerce was a vital component of ancient urban life. This poll explores how these early civilizations approached what we now call 'retail strategy' - the purposeful organization of markets, trade regulations, and commercial practices that facilitated exchange of goods.

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Mesopotamian (specifically Babylonian) merchants, who used cylinder seals to mark clay containers holding their goods
Egyptian traders, who marked papyrus packages with hieroglyphic symbols representing their workshop or family business
Roman merchants, who stamped SPQR (Senatus Populusque Romanus) on state-approved merchandise
Chinese Han Dynasty traders, who used silk ribbons with wax seals to authenticate luxury goods